Maskell. — On Coccidae. 403 



Avandering there will probably be many plants and places 

 where it may be found. 



The excessive pubescence and the strongly spined and 

 spurred tibia will distinguish this species. 



Genus Sph^rococcus. 



Sphserococcus inflatipes, Maskell, var. simplicior, var. 



nov. 



Adult female occupying a small depression in the bark, and 

 covered by a flattish subcircular test, which is scarcely raised 

 above the bark, and, being of the same substance and colour, 

 is very inconspicuous, seeming as if only a small blister. 



Adult female of the general form of the type, subcircular, 

 slightly depressed dorsally and slightly convex ventrally ; 

 diameter about ^^in. dorsally. The antennae are much more 

 atrophied than in the type, the joints being quite confused, 

 and the whole organ appearing more tubercular. The two 

 anterior pairs of feet are also much smaller than in the type, 

 being, indeed, in some cases scarcely to be made out ; the 

 large and long posterior pair, on the other hand, are perhaps 

 a little more exaggerated than those of the type, and the claw 

 is much more distinct. The dorsal region bears, as in the 

 type, very great numbers of small oval markings and very 

 short fine hairs, but instead of a ring of strong spines en- 

 circling the whole there are only about six at the posterior 

 extremity, with three or four much smaller ones at each side of 

 them. The ventral hairs and orifices are as in the type. 



This variety is distinguished by the very inconspicuous test, 

 by the smaller antennge and anterior feet, aiid by the differ- 

 ence in the dorsal spines. 



Hab. In Australia, on Eucalyptus vlminalis. Specimens 

 sent by Mr. French from Melbourne. These specimens were 

 accompanied by numbers of Asjjidiotus eucalypti, var. comatus 

 (of this paper) ; and in examining a twig it is necessary to 

 carefully distinguish the puparia of the Aspidiotus from the 

 tests of the Sphcsrococcus. 



SphserocoGcus obscuratus, sp. nov. Plate XXII., figs 



10-17. 



Adult female covered by a swelling of the bark of the tree, 

 which is frequently much coated with black fungus, and is very 

 inconspicuous. On lifting off the bark the insect is seen lying 

 on the wood in the cavity ; sometimes it is partially or almost 

 wholly enclosed in the exuviae of the second stage, sometimes 

 the upper portion of the exuviae is lifted away with the bark 

 and the lower half forms a cushion on which the insect 

 rests. 



